School Libraries and Librarians are Critical to Educational Success
(Proposed ALA Resolution – ALA 2012 Annual Conference)
Whereas, school librarians help students acquire unique skills not taught in the classroom and information and technology skills essential for students in the 21st century; and
Whereas, there has been research conducted in 22 states and a Canadian Province that provides significant evidence indicating the value added to student’s academic development by the presence of a strong school library program led by a credentialed librarian;
Whereas, the most universal finding is that the presence of full-time, credentialed school librarians and appropriate support staff who implement a quality, school integrated program of library services is directly related to these student educational gains; and
Whereas, it has been shown that incremental increases in the following can result in incremental gains in student learning:
· Increased hours of access for both individual student visits and group visits by classes
· Larger collections of print and electronic resources with access at school and from home
· Up-to-date technology with connectivity to databases and automated collections
· Instruction implemented in collaboration with teachers that is integrated with classroom curriculum and allows students to learn and practice such 21stcentury skills as problem-solving, critical thinking and communication of ideas and information
· Increased student usage of school library services
· Higher total library expenditures
· Leadership activities by the librarian in providing professional development for teachers, serving on key committees, and meeting regularly with the principal; and
Whereas, quality school library programs may play an even greater role in providing academic support to those students who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in closing the achievement gap and assuring that all students are prepared with the 21st century skills they need to succeed in college and career; and
Whereas, current educational legislation, reform efforts and best practices including ESEA, the Common Core State Standards, STEM education and College and Career Readiness efforts expound on the need for students to:
· Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge
· Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge
· Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society
· Pursue personal and aesthetic growth; and
Whereas, school librarians instruct students and provide the school community ongoing experiences in learning to develop research questions and related skills in accessing, evaluating, synthesizing and utilizing information to create and present new understandings; and
Whereas, school libraries provide equitable physical and intellectual access to the resources and tools required for learning in a stimulating, and safe environment; and
Whereas, the de-professionalization and curtailment of school library instructional programs has not only had a negative impact on students and student achievement in K-12 learning environments, but also a negative impact on the ability of youth to utilize the resources of public and academic libraries; and
Whereas, more than 28,000 citizens signed a White House petition to ensure that every child in America has access to an effective school library program and asking that the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provide dedicated funding to help support effective school library programs in order to ensure more students have access to the school librarians, resources and tools that constitute a 21st century learning environment; and
Whereas, in its response, the Obama administration acknowledged that “reading is the foundation upon which all other learning is built, and school libraries play a significant role in constructing and enriching that foundation. School libraries do much more than house books and store data: a school library can broaden the horizon of learning for students and link them with communities and experiences far beyond their own classroom and community”; and that “Literacy is critical to the success of our students and to our strength as a nation.”
Whereas, members of the American Library Association, as librarians, educators and contributors to our communities, recognize that there is an interdependence among types of libraries within a community, where what affects school libraries affects our profession as a whole, and that school libraries are at the center of this ecosystem; and members of ALA have an obligation to help ensure that every child in America receives a strong foundation in literacy, including the critical thinking skills necessary to thrive in a dynamic and competitive 21st century economy, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the American Library Association Council
1. directs the ALA Presidential Task Force to lead the Association in its continued mission to address the urgent need for advocacy for school libraries, school librarians, and the impact of the de-professionalization and curtailment of school library instructional programs on students and student achievement, continuing to engage librarians of all types from across the association to advocate for school libraries, which are imperative to the survival and success of all libraries;
2. encourages state associations and affiliates to influence state legislation requiring adequate funding and appropriate staffing of school libraries in schools at all levels;
3. places a high priority on seeing that upcoming ESEA legislation recognizes and specifically supports the necessity for effective school library programs and credentialed school librarians;
4. works to encourage federal lobbying efforts to include school libraries in legislation and regulations, including areas such as digital literacy and broadband; and,
5. will actively seek partnerships with national organizations to reach mutual goals of sustaining school libraries.
Mover: Sara
Kelly Johns, AASL: skjohns@gmail.com
Seconder: Cynthia Czesak, Chapter Relations Committee: czesak@patersonpl.org
School Libraries and Librarians are Critical to Educational Success
(Proposed ALA Resolution – ALA 2012 Annual Conference)
Appendix
American Association of School Librarians. 2007. Standards for the 21st Century Learner. Chicago, Illinois: American Library Association. http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/AASL_Learning_Standards_2007.pdf.
Access date: 4 June 2012
Harvey, Carl, et. al. 2012. “Ensure That Every Child in America Has Access to an Effective School Library Program”. White House Petition and Official Response. https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/!/petition/ensure-every-child-america-has-access-effective-school-library-program/tmlbRqfF?utm_source=wh.gov&utm_medium=shorturl&utm_campaign=shorturl.
Access date: 7 June 2012
Kachel, Debra, et. al. 2011. School Library Research, Summarized: A Graduate Class Project. Mansfield, Pennsylvania: School Library & Information Technologies Department, Mansfield University.
http://libweb.mansfield.edu/upload/kachel/ImpactStudy.pdf.
Access date: 4 June 2012
Library Research Service. 2010. School Library Impact Studies. Denver, Colorado. http://www.lrs.org/impact.php.
Access date: 4 June 2012
Scholastic Library Publishing. 2008. School Libraries Work! 3rd ed. New York, New York. http://listbuilder.scholastic.com/content/stores/LibraryStore/pages/images/SLW3.pdf.
Access date: 4 June 2012